DOCSLIB.ORG

Draft Recovery Plan for the Western Snowy Plover, Pacific Coast

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Draft Recovery Plan for the Western Snowy Plover, Pacific Coast Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) Pacific Coast Population Draft Recovery Plan (May 2001) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 1 Approved: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Date: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX PRIMARY AUTHORS Ruth Pratt of the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento, California, acted as the Recovery Team Manager and coordinated preparation of the recovery plan. Recovery plan preparation was supervised and edited by Karen Miller, Diane Elam, and Ina Pisani, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office. We gratefully acknowledge the efforts of the Pacific Coast Western Snowy Plover Recovery Team in preparing this recovery plan. Special acknowledgment is also given to Nadav Nur, Point Reyes Bird Observatory, Stinson Beach, California, for his work on the population viability analysis. i DISCLAIMER Recovery plans delineate reasonable actions that are believed to be required to recover and/or protect listed species. We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, publish recovery plans, sometimes preparing them with the assistance of recovery teams, contractors, State agencies, and others. Recovery teams serve as independent advisors to the Fish and Wildlife Service. Objectives of the plan will be attained and necessary funds made available subject to budgetary and other constraints affecting the parties involved, as well as the need to address other priorities. Recovery plans do not obligate cooperating or other parties to undertake specific tasks, and may not represent the views nor the official positions or approval of any individuals or agencies involved in the plan formulation, other than our own. They represent our official position only after they have been signed by the Director, Regional Director, or Operations Manager as approved. Approved recovery plans are subject to modification as dictated by new findings, changes in species status, and the completion of recovery tasks. Literature Citation Should Read As Follows: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2001. Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) Pacific Coast Population Draft Recovery Plan. Portland, Oregon. xix + 630 pp. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The following U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff provided valuable review and comments on the recovery plan: John Grettenberger, Western Washington Office, Lacey, Washington; Carrie Phillips, Newport Fish and Wildlife Office, Newport, Oregon; Jim Watkins, Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office, Arcata, California; Robert Mesta, Bureau of Land Management Region 2 Office, Tucson, Arizona; and Doreen Stadtlander, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, Carlsbad, California. Maps of snowy plover sites in Appendix L were prepared by Scott Phillips of the Endangered Species Recovery Program, Fresno, California. The cover illustrations for the front cover and Appendix K are used courtesy of Carleton R. Eyster, Santa Cruz, California. iii PACIFIC COAST WESTERN SNOWY PLOVER RECOVERY TEAM Sarah Allen Sean Morton National Park Service County of Santa Barbara Point Reyes, California Santa Barbara, California Tim Burr Martin Nugent U.S. Department of the Navy Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife San Diego, California Portland, Oregon Jeff Chastain Gary Page C & M Stables Point Reyes Bird Observatory Florence, Oregon Stinson Beach, California Janet Didion Kerrie Palermo California Dept. of Parks and Recreation U.S. Forest Service Sacramento, California Reedsport, Oregon David Dixon Daniel Pearson California Dept. of Parks and Recreation Southern California Edison Monterey, California Rosemead, California Erin Fernandez John Phillips San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. Newark, California Coos Bay, Oregon Richard Griffiths Abby Powell U.S. Marine Corps U.S.G.S., Biological Resources Division Camp Pendleton, California Fayetteville, Arkansas Jim Heaney Jim Raives U.S. Bureau of Land Management California Coastal Commission North Bend, Oregon San Francisco, California William Hornbrook Nancy Read Fish Phone U.S. Department of the Air Force Eureka, California Vandenberg Air Force Base, California Tim Jensen Chris Regan Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District Washington State Parks and Recreation Carmel Valley, California Olympia, Washington Ron Jurek Scott Richardson California Department of Fish and Game Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Sacramento, California Olympia, Washington Don Klusman Mark Stern California Assoc. of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs, Inc. Oregon Natural Heritage Program Yuba City, California Portland, Oregon iv EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CURRENT SPECIES STATUS: The Pacific coast population of the western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) is federally listed as threatened. The current Pacific coast breeding population extends from Damon Point, Washington, to Bahia Magdalena, Baja California, Mexico. The snowy plover winters mainly in coastal areas from southern Washington to Central America. HABITAT REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITING FACTORS: The Pacific coast population of western snowy plovers breeds primarily above the high tide line on coastal beaches, sand spits, dune-backed beaches, sparsely-vegetated dunes, beaches at creek and river mouths, and salt pans at lagoons and estuaries. Less common nesting habitats include bluff-backed beaches, dredged material disposal sites, salt pond levees, dry salt ponds, and river bars. In winter, snowy plovers are found on many of the beaches used for nesting as well as on beaches where they do not nest, in man-made salt ponds, and on estuarine sand and mud flats. Habitat degradation caused by human disturbance, urban development, introduced beachgrass (Ammophila spp.), and expanding predator populations have resulted in a decline in active nesting areas and in the size of the breeding and wintering populations. RECOVERY OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this recovery plan is to remove the Pacific coast western snowy plover population from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants by: (1) achieving well- distributed increases in numbers and productivity of breeding adult birds, and (2) providing for long-term protection of breeding and wintering plovers and their habitat. RECOVERY PRIORITY: 3C, per criteria published by Federal Register Notice (48 FR 43098; September 12, 1983). v RECOVERY CRITERIA: The Pacific coast population of the western snowy plover will be considered for delisting when the following criteria have been met: 1. Maintain for 10 years an average of 3,000 breeding adults distributed among 6 recovery units as follows: Washington and Oregon, 250 breeding adults; Del Norte to Mendocino Counties, California, 150 breeding adults; San Francisco Bay, California, 500 breeding adults; Sonoma to Monterey Counties, 400 breeding adults; San Luis Obispo to Ventura Counties, California, 1,200 breeding adults; and Los Angeles to San Diego Counties, California, 500 breeding adults. 2. Maintain a 5-year average productivity of at least 1.0 fledged chick per male in each recovery unit in the last 5 years prior to delisting. 3. Have in place participation plans among cooperating agencies, landowners, and conservation organizations to assure protection and management of breeding, wintering, and migration areas listed in Appendix B to maintain the subpopulation sizes and average productivity specified in criteria 1 and 2 above. ACTIONS NEEDED: 1. Monitor and manage breeding habitat of the Pacific coast population of the western snowy plover to maximize survival and productivity. 2. Monitor and manage wintering and migration areas to maximize snowy plover population survival. 3. Develop mechanisms for long-term management and protection of snowy plovers and their breeding and wintering habitat. 4. Undertake scientific investigations that facilitate recovery efforts. 5. Undertake public information and education programs. 6. Review progress towards recovery annually and revise recovery efforts as appropriate. vi 7. Dedicate U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and funding for the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office to coordinate recovery implementation. 8. Establish an international conservation program with the government of Mexico to protect snowy plovers and their breeding and wintering locations in Mexico. Appendix J addresses Actions 1 and 2, providing guidelines for monitoring snowy plovers during the breeding and wintering seasons. Appendix K addresses Action 5, providing a public information and education plan. ESTIMATED COST OF RECOVERY: $28,588,000 plus additional costs that cannot be estimated at this time. DATE OF RECOVERY: Delisting could occur by 2025 if recovery criteria have been met. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION ...............................................1 A. DESCRIPTION AND TAXONOMY .........................4 B. LIFE HISTORY AND ECOLOGY ...........................6 1. Breeding ..........................................6 a. Population Size and Distribution .................7 b. Arrival and Courtship..........................8 c. Duration of Breeding Season ....................9 d. Nests and Nest Sites...........................9 e. Egg Laying, Clutch Size, and Incubation ..........10 f. Clutch Hatching Success .......................12 g. Brood-rearing ...............................12 h. Fledging Success .............................13 i. Productivity .................................13 j. Survival ....................................14 2. Feeding Habitat and Habits...........................15
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Surfers Beach and Miramar Half Moon Bay (El Granada and Half Moon Bay, CA)
    Surfers Beach and Miramar Half Moon Bay (El Granada and Half Moon Bay, CA) Bob Battalio, PE Chief Engineer, Vice President Environmental Science Associates (ESA) [email protected] Coastside Sea Rise & Erosion Forum Douglas Beach House in Miramar, May 24, 2016 Photograph © Colin Brown Who is this dude ? Professional Civil Engineer (CA,WA,LA,OR,FL) practicing 30 years Coastal Processes training from UCB, 1985 Chief Engineer, VP @ Environmental Science Associates (ESA), San Francisco http://www.esassoc.com/bios/robert‐battalio‐pe Practices management and enhancement of natural aquatic ecosystems, primarily shores, inlets, lagoons and tidal wetlands, also hazard mapping Surfer since 1970s Favorite location ‐ Taraval Street, OB Inducted, Double Overhead Association (DOA) at Wise Surf Shop, late 1980’s Pacifica resident since 1989 Started surfing Mavericks in early 1990’s Photograph © Colin Brown Problem(s) statement • Pillar point harbor – Traps sand supply to HMB littoral subcell, causing sediment deficit and erosion – Breakwater causes wave reflection which increases longshore transport toward south • Shore armoring on Coast Highway and Mirada Road – Increase wave reflection, increase longshore transport south and offshore, lowers beach – Erosion will accelerate in unarmored areas • Climate change, Sea level rise – everything gets worse (maybe not depths for navigation) • Result – Shoaling in Pillar Point Harbor – Erosion hot spot at surfers beach and Miramar – Increased erosion in southern HMB – Wave reflection from breakwater improves
    [Show full text]
  • The Goleta Slough Watershed a Review of Data Collected from October 2005 Through September 2006 by Santa Barbara Channelkeeper's Goleta Stream Team by Al Leydecker
    The Goleta Slough Watershed A review of data collected from October 2005 through September 2006 by Santa Barbara Channelkeeper's Goleta Stream Team by Al Leydecker Introduction The streams that drain the Goleta Slough watershed transport pollutants such as bacteria and excess nutrients down to the slough and ocean, and the purpose of Santa Barbara Channelkeeper's Stream Team program is to provide comprehensive monitoring of this ecologically important catchment. The Goleta Stream Team began in the summer of 2002 as a partnership program of Santa Barbara Channelkeeper and the Isla Vista Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. The program has three goals: to collect baseline information about the health of the watershed; to help identify sources of pollution; and to educate and train a force of watershed stewards in the local community. Stream Team conducts monthly on-site testing at designated locations on streams tributary to the Goleta Slough and in the slough itself. Near the beginning of each month, teams of volunteers measure physical and chemical parameters using portable, hand-held instruments. Data collected include on-site measurements of dissolved oxygen, turbidity, conductivity, pH, temperature and flow. Water samples are collected at each site and later processed in Channelkeeper's laboratory for three Public Health bacterial indicators using approved standard methodology (Colilert-18 and Enterolert-24, manufactured by Idexx Laboratories; US-EPA, 2003). Additional samples are analyzed for nutrients through the cooperation of the Santa Barbara Channel – Long Term Ecological Research Project (SBC-LTER) at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The nutrient parameters measured are ammonium, nitrite plus nitrate, orthophosphate, total dissolved nitrogen and total dissolved phosphorus.
    [Show full text]
  • David Revell, Ph.D
    David L. Revell, Ph.D. Principal Professional Profile Dr. David Revell is a coastal geomorphologist with more than 25 years of experience studying marine, coastal, and estuarine processes, working to integrate science and management of coastal processes and climate change. He has served as a technical advisor and facilitator to multiple federal, state, and local jurisdictions related to ocean and coastal management especially at the intersection of how physical processes and human alterations affect Education and hazards, habitats, and human use. He has been involved in a wide Credentials variety of contentious community stakeholder processes ranging Ph.D., Earth Sciences, University from evaluating erosion hazard alternatives to climate change of California, Santa Cruz, 2007 vulnerability impacts to lagoon and fisheries management, water M.S., Oceanography and Marine quality, and marine spatial planning. Much of his work involves Resource Management, Oregon State University, Corvallis, physical process research and spatial analysis to facilitate Oregon, 2000 communication of science to inform decision-making. Dr. Revell B.A., Geography, and B.A. currently advises multiple local jurisdictions and agencies on dune Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, and sediment management, climate change, estuary processes, inlet California, 1998 and 1996 management, and local coastal program updates. Continuing Education Relevant Experience and Training Postdoctoral Research, Institute Coastal Resiliency of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, April West Cliff Drive Adaptation and Management Plan, Santa Cruz, 2007–April 2008. California—Developing a neighborhood scale/transportation corridor adaptation plan along iconic West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, balancing coastal erosion, transportation, recreation, and community visioning. Specific work tasks included hazard modeling, local coastal program policy development, and social vulnerability and economic and engineering analyses.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction Planning Implications
    DRAFT 4 City of Goleta, California May 2004 BACKGROUND REPORT NO. 24 Hydrology and Water Quality INTRODUCTION This background report describes the hydrological characteristics of the City of Goleta. The City of Goleta’s hydrological features consist of creeks and associated flood plains, ponds, wetlands, and the Ocean. While this report provides an overview of these resources, other reports examine particular areas or issues in the City in greater depth. These reports include Ellwood Mesa Open Space Plan and the related Environmental Impact Report; Comstock Homes Development and Ellwood Mesa Open Space Plan, March 2004, Goleta Slough Ecosystem Management Plan, December 1997, and Water Quality Analysis Report, County of Santa Barbara, December 2003. PLANNING IMPLICATIONS Since hydrological features shape the land forms of an area, these features contribute to the physical character of the community. Hydrological forces create these land forms through processes such as erosion and flooding. These processes in turn pose constraints and hazards for use and development. Water, as the basis for all life, creates the environment for the community’s biological resources and ecology. Modification of the hydrological system, either by physical alteration or by change in water quality, will affect these biological systems. The potential of adverse impacts associated with development is an important constraint on how land might be used, developed or managed. Water and its quality affects other aspects of the quality of life since water is the basis of many recreational activities. City of Goleta, California XXIV-1 General Plan Report: Hydrology GENERAL TOPOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE The City of Goleta is situated in the western portion of the Goleta Valley.
    [Show full text]
  • Part 2 – Background (Through 2014)
    Goleta Slough Area Sea Level Rise and Management Plan Background PART 2 – BACKGROUND (THROUGH 2014) 2.1 Location and Relationship to Surrounding Areas 2.1.1 Goleta Slough Goleta Slough is located in southern Santa Barbara County between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The Slough is the northernmost example of a large Southern California estuary and represents the northern limit of distribution for several plant and animal species (Zedler, 1982). It includes the Goleta Slough Ecological Reserve and the Goleta Slough State Marine Conservation Area, both of which are managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The general location of the Slough is shown in Figure 2-1, General Location of the GSEMP Area. In addition to its biological importance, Goleta Slough provides many other functions and values including floodwater storage capacity, filtering of pollutants contained in stormwater runoff, open space, and educational and scientific opportunities. The area is also rich in cultural and historic resources. The Slough is designated an Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA) in planning documents, as are most of the creeks that drain into it. The Slough’s watershed is about 45 square miles and includes the drainages of seven creeks: Atascadero, Carneros, Las Vegas, Maria Ygnacia, San Jose, San Pedro and Tecolotito Creeks (See Figure 2-14, Watersheds). Goleta Slough was historically an embayment of approximately 18 square miles in size. The name “Goleta” means schooner in Spanish, reflecting the history of the area when Goleta Slough was a bay with boats sailing inland close to what is now Hollister Avenue.
    [Show full text]
  • California Coastal Commission Staff Report and Recommendation
    STATE OF CALIFORNIA -- NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION SOUTH CENTRAL COAST AREA 89 SOUTH CALIFORNIA ST., SUITE 200 VENTURA, CA 93001 Filed: 4/3/09 (805) 585-1800 180th Day: 9/30/09 Staff: S. Hudson Staff Report: 6/25/09 W 8b Hearing Date: 7/8/09 STAFF REPORT: REGULAR CALENDAR APPLICATION NO.: 4-08-006 APPLICANT: Santa Barbara County Parks Department AGENTS: Dave Ward, Santa Barbara County Planning and Development Department Chris Webb, Moffatt & Nichol McCabe and Company Chambers Group PROJECT LOCATION: Goleta Beach County Park at 5986 Sandspit Road, Santa Barbara County PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Construct an approximately 500 ft. long, 20 ft. wide, permeable pier sand retention system as an addition to the existing Goleta Beach Pier consisting of 250 – 330 timber or composite fiberglass piles (18” – 20” in diameter) and timber decking. The project also includes seasonal installation of an approximately 1,200 ft. long, 3-5 ft. high winter sand berm for a period of five years after initial development commences; removal of approximately 1,500 linear ft. of existing rock rip rap upcoast of the existing restaurant on site; repair of approximately 650 linear ft. of existing revetment at the downcoast end of the park, and offshore dredging of approximately 500,000 cu. yds. of sand and placement of dredged material on the beach immediately upcoast of the pier for the purpose of initial beach nourishment; and the implementation of an Adaptive Management and Monitoring Program that may include periodic adjustments to add or remove piles from the permeable pier sand retention system and periodic offshore dredging/beach nourishment on an as-needed basis not exceed 100,000 cu.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Defense Center 40Th Anniversary Case Docket
    ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE CENTER 40TH ANNIVERSARY CASE DOCKET (2017) MISSION STATEMENT The Environmental Defense Center protects and enhances the local environment through education, advocacy, and legal action FOCUS Since 1977 we have empowered community based organizations to advance environmental protection. Our program areas include protecting coast and ocean resources, open spaces and wildlife, and human and environmental health. We primarily work within Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo Counties. INTRODUCTION TO CASE DOCKET In 1969, Unocal’s oil spill in the Santa Barbara Channel focused the nation’s attention on the inherent danger of irresponsible natural resource exploitation, and made Santa Barbara the birthplace of the modern environmental movement. By 1977, an increasingly complex web of regulations, coupled with growing polluter sophistication, made necessary the creation of the Environmental Defense Center as a public interest law firm, dedicated to defending the health of the environment and the public. EDC empowers community groups by providing them with the tools to advance their environmental goals and objectives. EDC is the only public interest environmental law firm between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and is often the last hope for local groups seeking to protect their community from development and industrial threats. EDC offers a broad range of services, including educational forums and workshops, citizen activist trainings, advocacy before public agencies, creation of coalitions and other 906 Garden Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Phone (805) 963-1622 FAX (805) 962-3152 www.EnvironmentalDefenseCenter.org EDC 40th Anniversary Case Docket (2017) 2 collaborations, and – where necessary – legal representation in the courtroom. While our cases begin at the local and regional level, they often result in actions or precedents that have far-reaching state and national impact.
    [Show full text]
  • Recommendations for Goleta Beach County Park
    3rd District Proposal and Recommendations for Goleta Beach County Park Jim Hickling Park Commissioner Third District 29 September 2005 9/29/2005 Third District Recommentdations and Propsoals 1 for Goleta Beach County Park GB Working Group Majority (11/17) Recommendation: • Objective – “Save the park in its current configuration by: – Utilize engineered buried rock revetments to act as the last line of defense during heavy winter storms; – Continue and expand on beach nourishment and opportunistic fill efforts; – And/or employ sand retention devices such as artificial headlands, artificial reefs, or groins so sand added to the beach stays in place while mitigating wave energy. “ • Source: signed letter to Commission from 11 WG members 9/29/2005 Third District Recommentdations and Propsoals 2 for Goleta Beach County Park 3rd District Proposal And Recommendations To Meet Majority Objective For Goleta Beach • Retain, seek permits for, and repair all existing revetments. – 1960’s through 1980’s revetments, installed at both ends of the park have survived, been effective and have caused no recorded environmental impact – New “Engineered” replacement structures may not add any more value – Repair is feasible, low in cost (about $50/ft) and would cause less environmental impact then by ripping these existing revetments out( MN Table 3-2) – Rock revetments now cover over 70% of the usable park shoreline (2800/3825 feet) and have been largely unobtrusive (except when exposed by storms) – Total cost to repair: 2800 ft x $50 = $140,000 over an estimated period of three years – Timing: as storms/weather expose revetments, conduct repair. • Advantage – less labor and disturbance to park and environment • Seek permits for unprotected portion (approx.
    [Show full text]
  • Record Packet Copy
    STATE OF CALIFORNIA- THE RESOURCES AGENCY CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION SOUTH CENTRAL COAST AREA SOUTH CALIFORNIA ST., SUITE 200 NTURA, CA 93001 • (805) 641 -0142 RECORD PACKET COPY Filed: 5/25/2000 49th Day: 7/13/2000 180th Day: 11124/2000 Staff: M.H. Capelli {!fi:f StaffReport: 5/23/2000 Hearing Date: 6/13-16/2000 Commission Action: STAFFREPORT:REGULARCALENDAR APPLICATION NO.: 4-00-118 APPLICANT: Santa Barbara County Parks Department PROJECT LOCATION: Goleta Beach County Park, Santa Barbara County PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Removal of 1,000+ linear feet of rock riprap seawall and· • temporary wire fence that was placed on Goleta Beach pursuant to an emergency permit issued by the County of Santa Barbara. Zoning: Recreation Land Use Plan designation: Existing Public or Private Park/Recreation/Open Space Project density: NA Ht abv grade: 6 to 8 feet LOCAL APPROVALS RECEIVED: County of Santa Barbara Resolution No. 00-DP- 020 SUBSTANTIVE FILE DOCUMENTS: Appeal A-4-STB-00-082; Santa Barbara County Local Coastal Program Emergency Permit No. 00-EMP-002; CDP Application 4- 00-118. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval with special conditions regarding • timing of removal and receipt of state and federal permits. Application No. 4-00-118 (Goleta Beach County Park) Page2 I. STAFF RECOMMENDATION • MOTION: I move that the Commission approve Coastal Development Permit No. 4-00-118 pursuant to the sta/frecommendatlon. STAFF RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL: Staff recommends a YES vote. Passage of this motion will result in approval of the permit as conditioned and adoption of the following resolution and fmdings. The motion passes only by affirmative vote of a majority of the Commissioners present.
    [Show full text]
  • Presentation
    Carpinteria Living Shoreline Dune & Shoreline Management Plan PUBLIC MEETING NO. 1 SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 Today’s Agenda • Team Introductions • Background • Project Overview • Living Shoreline Basics • Timeline • Q & A Introductions • Erin Maker, Environmental Program Manager, City of Carpinteria • Erika Leachman, Principal Planner, Wood • Marie Laule, Planner and Grant Program Manager, Wood • Chris Webb, Coastal Engineering Project Manager, Moffatt & Nichol • Conor Ofsthun, Asst. Project Manager and Coastal Analyst, Moffatt & Nichol • Dave Hubbard, Dune Designer & Restoration Ecologist, Coastal Restoration Consultants • Matt James, Dune Designer & Restoration Ecologist, Coastal Restoration Consultants Sea Level Rise (SLR) in Carpinteria • Projections range, however, the reasonable worst case in the City is 5 feet by 2100 • Increases in coastal flooding at low-lying areas and coastal erosion at base of bluffs • Damages could be devastating to: • Residents and local business owners; • Widespread economic impacts to the City; • Disruption of regional rail and transit services; • Loss of important coastal access and recreational resources. Coastal erosion and damage during historically large El Nino of 1982-83. Key SLR Vulnerabilities in Carpinteria • Downtown commercial corridor • Beach Neighborhood and shorefront properties • Regional and local infrastructure, including roads, rail, parks, utility lines, and storm drains • Unprotected low-lying coastline is where the most vulnerable and some of the most valuable assets are • 41 affordable
    [Show full text]
  • Resilience Planning & Adaptation on California's Outer Coast
    Coastal Resilience in the West: Scientific & Policy Innovations Strengthening Communities and the Environment Resilience Planning & Adaptation On California’s Outer Coast Charles Lester Ocean & Coastal Policy Center Marine Science Institute, UCSB C. Lester, EESI Wash. DC 12.04.2019 December 4, 2019 1 California’s Coastal Management Program • San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) • California Coastal Commission (Outer Coast) • State Coastal Conservancy C. Lester, EESI Wash. DC 12.04.2019 2 The Adaptation Challenge is great: Most urban footprints established before modern CZM Santa Cruz Co, Opal Cliffs -- 1943 Santa Cruz Co, Opal Cliffs -- 1967 Source: http://library.ucsc.edu/maps/view-digitized-aerial-flight-photos-by-county 3 C. Lester, EESI Wash. DC 12.04.2019 Alamitos Peninsula Del Mar Carpinteria Stinson Beach Imperial Beach C. Lester, EESI Wash. DC 12.04.2019 4 Malibu, Surfrider Beach The Coastal Squeeze is Real 5 C. Lester, EESI Wash. DC 12.04.2019 Pacifica, CA – 1940s https://thepacificaquarry.com/history/ Pacifica, CA – 2019 C. Lester, EESI Wash. DC 12.04.2019 7 Pacifica, CA – 2019 C. Lester, EESI Wash. DC 12.04.2019 8 Coastal Act Hazards Management PRC 30253 requires that new development minimize risks to life and property and not require the construction of shoreline protective structures. PRC 30235 requires the Commission to approve shoreline structures for endangered existing development if it is the least environmentally-damaging, feasible alternative and sand supply impacts are mitigated. ➔76 local coastal government must complete a Local Coastal Program (LCP) to implement the Coastal Act. C. Lester, EESI Wash. DC 12.04.2019 9 Change can be Sudden and Episodic -- Pacifica C.
    [Show full text]
  • The Utilization of Seawalls in Response to Shoreline Erosion
    The Utilization of Seawalls in Response to Shoreline Erosion Consequences, Socio-Economic, Political and Legal Forces, and Alternatives Shawn W. Kelly Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management University of California, Santa Barbara November 30, 2000 Executive Summary When coastal buildings or roads are threatened, the typical response is to harden the coast with a seawall. Seawalls run parallel to the beach and can be built of concrete, wood, steel, or boulders. Seawalls are also called bulkheads or revetments; the distinction is mainly a matter of purpose. They are designed to halt shoreline erosion caused primarily by wave action. If seawalls are maintained, they may temporarily hold back the ocean from encroaching on shoreline development. In spite of their ability to hold back the ocean, when waves hit a seawall, the waves are reflected back out to sea, taking beach sand with them and eventually causing the beach to disappear. Moreover, seawalls can cause increased erosion at the ends of the seawall on an adjacent beach that is not walled. Alternatives to seawalls exist, such as beach nourishment and managed retreat. Making coastal land use decisions that ensure a seawall will not be needed in the future to protect structures, however, is the most prudent coastal management solution. This can be accomplished by establishing setback lines and conducting managed retreat of structures that are threatened by shoreline erosion before the situation worsens, or structures that have the potential for being threatened in the future. Regional case studies are presented to illustrate. ii Prologue I have an undergraduate education in Ocean Engineering that provided me with a basis for my technical background and technical interest in the ocean.
    [Show full text]